Potato cutter



E. E. MEYER POTATO CUTTER Nov. 8, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 20,1948 INVENTOR. .922? W g e1;

ATTD R N EYE E. E. MEYER POTATO CUTTER Nov. 8, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 3Filed Aug. 20, 1948 INVENTOR.

N v riz'esfii dg gg NNN E. E. MEYER POTATO CUTTER Nov. 8, 1949 FiledAug. 20. 1948 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 IVENTOR. 1????35'? I 25 ATTORNEYS E. E.MEYER POTATO CUTTER Nov. 8, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 20, 1948INVENTOR ZEZ/Zga; wf o.

Lav/Z65 ATTE! RN EYS E. E. MEYER POTATO CUTTER Nov. 8, 1949 8Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 20, 1948 A'ITU RN EXS E. E. MEYER POTATOCUTTER Nov. 8 1949 8 Sheets-$heet 7 Filed Aug. 20, 1948 WN EEIERNM IIll-Z.

INVENTOR. fizzesififigyez E. E. MEYER POTATO CUTTER Nov. 8, 1949 FiledAug. 20, 1948 8 SheeQs-Sheet 8 /m n w w W W m ZwafEZZgen M 5m r60.

Patented Nov. 8, 1949 UNITED STATES i ATENT OFFICE POTATO CUTTER ErnestE. Meyer, Anaconda, Mont.

Application August 20, 1948, Serial No. 45,250

12 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a potato cutting machine for cutting seedpotatoes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a potato cuttingmachine which is substantially automatic in operation wherein potatoesdeposited in a hopper are inserted in jaws on carrier elements wherebythe potatoes are subjected to being cut from different angles to provideseed potato elements and wherein conveyor means is provided for locatingthe potatoes adjacent the carriers so that they are easily accessiblefor insertion into the jaws, and wherein the seed potato elements uponbeing discharged from the jaws are conveyed automatically away from themachine and deposited in a bin. The invention also includes meanswhereby potatoes which are not used in the carriers are returnedautomatically to the starting end of the potato conveyor to be againconveyed to the operators of the machine. A further object of theinvention is to provide a seed potato cutter having cutting kniveswherein means is provided for disinfecting the knives after cutting eachpotato.

The invention also includes a bath at the end of the machine into whichthe cut sections of the potatoes are deposited for treatment beforeplanting.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a potato cuttingmachine adapted to handle large quantities of potatoes which is ofsimple construction, has independent power means for the several workingparts, has an adjustable seed potato carrier from which potatoes aretaken, is easy to operate and efficient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention,reference may be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a sideelevational view, with parts in section showing the potato seed cutteras viewed on line l-l of Figure 2 and looking in the direction of thearrows thereof,

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the potato cutte Figure 3 is an enlargedsectional view, with parts in elevation, taken on line 33 of Figure 1and looking in the direction of the arrows thereof,

Figure 4 is an enlargedfragmentary side elevational view of the potatocutter with portions broken away and shown in section,

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary and transverse sectional view takengenerally on line 5-5 of Figure 4 and looking in the direction of thearrows thereof with the near cam omitted,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of the double knife operatingmechanism with the cam positioned so that the knife is in the downposition,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary and sectional view of the double knifemechanism as viewed on line of Figure 4,

Figure 8 is a fragmentary elevational view similar to Figure 6 with thecam positioned to actuate the knife to the raised or cutting position,

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 7 but withthe knife in the raised position,

Figures 10 and 11 are respectively fragmentary views of the knifemechanism operating cam disposed at positions to retain the knifemechanism at elevations intermediate to the elevations shown in Figures6 and 8,

Figures 12 and 13 are respectively fragmentary elevational views of thejaws for retaining the potato while being cut, the cam for operating thejaws and the respective views showing the jaws closed upon a potatobeing cut in Figure 12 and opened to release the cut potato in Figure13,

Figure 14 is a transverse sectional view through one of the potatocarriers showing the operating cam therefor and illustrating a carrierin which large potatoes are held which are cut into six pieces,

Figure 14a is a sectional plan through one of the potato carriers takenon line I la-44o of Figure 14, showing the potato holding jaws with oneof the rollers and cam for operating the same,

Figure 15 is a detail sectional view taken through one of the jawdevices and taken on line l5- l5 of Figure 14,

Figure 16 is an elevational View of one of the potato carriers with itsoperating cam, said carrier adapted to receive the small potatoes and tohold the potatoes while subjected to a single movable knife and thecutting disk whereby to cut the potato into four parts, these jawcarriers being located along the rear portion of the potato seed cuttingmachine,

Figure 17 is a sectional view through the potato carrier shown in Figure16,

Figure 18 is a sectional view taken through the potato jaws of thecarrier shown in Figure 16 and on line I8l8 thereof,

Figure 19 is a fragmentary elevational view of the jaws into which a,single blade is extended 3 for cutting the smaller potatoes and showingthe cam for operating the jaws,

Figure is a fragmentary sectional view taken through the stripperelement for the single blade,

Figure 21 is a sectional view taken through the blades of the doubleknife and On line -21 of Figure 4,

Figure 22 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through the single knifeand on line 22- 22 of Figure 4,

Figure'23 is'fragmentary top plan view of the transmission mechanismdriven from the reduction gearing,

Figure 24 is a sectional view of the driving.

mechanism shown in Figure 23 and line 24-24 thereof,

Figure 25 is a detail sectional .=view, showing the V-drive pulley ofFigure 23 expanded to drive the mechanism at a slow speed, i i

Figure 26 is a plan view showing the crankshaft sectiomof the ratchetmechanism. fordriving the-potato carriers; 1 Figure :27. is asse'ctional:view'taken through the matchetzelement and on line 21-2 ot-Figures: =26.and 'i29gwith thezratchetl'partslin.engagement with a drum for rotatingthe shaft and carriers, eaEigureszii is a. sectional'aview similar to-t'h'e iview z shown inrFigure 27,:but'with the'rack in thereturningposition in which the carriers'are not actuated, 1, wdiigure 29 "is afragmentarylongitudinal sectionallview takenthrough -theratchet partsand generally-onxlin'e -.-29-:-2-9" of Figure 2'7, j .Figure': 30 is -a.fragmentary sectional, 'view as viewed on similar to Figure 5 with thesupporting bl-ccksre- =moved and showing thetank vin itsv lower edposition to -effect removal thereof for-cleaning, Figure 31 :is asectional view, :with partsin elevation, looking 4 toward ;the -motorfor .driving the potato carriers and conveyors. associated therewith andshowing thereductiongearingan'd drive belts connectedtherewith, and

.JFigure32 is a sectional view showing adetail of a"'belt"tighteningdevice for'thepotato conveyorand with'partsbrokenaway.

Referring now ."parti'cularly to *Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4; the seed potatocutter comprisesgenerally along supporting frame" 4B including verticaland horizontalmembe'rs. Themach-ine is divided into two sections withthe first section provided with potato -carriers fl "for the -lar-gerpotatoes and .the second section having carriers 42 for the smaller"potatoes. JIhe carriers 4 I :are I formed with vLsp'aced -pl ateshaving outwardly't bowed: stationaryrrj aws 2143contl1e ends :thereofandgripping jawsr4'4; are: releasably mountedi inithe-piates andpositioned between: the jaws 43. The 'icarriersi 42 2.16 providedwithzgri'pping jaws -45 which are'releasably mounted betweenfixedaarcuateoutwardlyehowed jaws-'46 on-the ends 0f "the plates.ofithiemarriers.

The potatoes placed in thej-awsof-the carriers 4I.-of theiorwardpart..of the machineare out by...double knives .41 and the ,potatoesdnthe .carriers v42-.in.the"la-tter part of the machine are .cutby singleknivesf48... v The potatoes are taken by handffromaconveyor .49 whichextends along the'upper part of the frame and returns through thebottom'of the frame. Potatoes are elevated to theconveyorfi by aninclined conveyor 5 I having a hopper? 52 into-which the 'potatoesaredumpe'd. These potatoes are dropped onto theconVeyor-*4 9"atone endof thema'ohinec "Operators will standat the side-of the conveyor 49and-place-by hand the ti 0ns travel outwardly and the jaws are releasedto drop the potato sections onto an apron 56 over "."WhiQh the sectionswill drop to a conveyor belt 57 for delivering the sections through thelower part *of -theframe-to an inclined elevator 58 located at theside,of-thezframe for delivery into a protective solution in a container 59from which the sections will-he taken for use in the potato planter.Beneath the respective knife mechanisms 4! and 48 are: tanksifil andr562which hold a disinfectant solution to sterilize the cutting bladesfafterweach potato. is -cut; This-preventsitransfer of disease fromone'potatoto another. ail-he tanks-are supported upon :removable blocks-":&3 and 63 Figure 4;Which?upon-being removed wil-llper m-it the tankto be .lcwered and removed :for -;the purpose :of being :cleaned. drain09651154 is-,previc led in each tank forg removing the disinfectant whena cleansolution is required. A i

;-At the receiving end, of the frame ,there {-iS mounted -a drivingelectric motor: -65,.-.Figures .3 and f 31 which. is connec ed by adriving .belt. 66 with a-reduetion: ear. devieefi I whichhas an, output:shaft EB that. drivesadrive, shaft 1 i through a belt .69 and {pulleysNa/and 5922, .as shown in Figures- 23v andt24. The; shaft: 7 I is.journalled ,on thajrame 40 ,and .a.-1arge gear. {Ii-is. mounted thereon.with a bevel .gear J3 .at the..end..o f .,the shaft.,IlheJeevs'elgear"1.3 meshes with a bevel, gear 14 on a lonitudinally.extending, shaft 115 which extends along.the .rear ,ofithefmme and has a crankshaft. ,section Y therein with crank .arms {'76 and7.1, the arms beingvpositionedat ananglaof one hundred. and eighty"degrees apartas shown in "The gear "12 on the shaft'll Figure '23,meshes with a gear. 18 .ona shaft .19 which isjjournalled in bearings'81 and v82m,Qurited,onithe sides of a feed control fram'e'8'3 pivotal yconnectedthrough ,bearingsI814 toftheshaft "'Hjfor vertical adjustment.The shaft I l9 has .a variable speed pulley '85, thereon "into. which a-be1t 86 is trained which isal p ne lo er pu11eyf8l one ri shaft'a'a'ofthe potatofeed conveyor'5l,' Figure3. The speed of the feed conveyormay,thereforabe adjusted byithe position-qr the 'b'eltin'the pulleys, Thesides of '"the*variablespeedipulley'85 are'resiliently "held against'the'belt by a spring a. The shaft 88 is journaled 0n the frame andhasdriving sprockets 9| for chains of scrapers 'fila that travel over theapron *92. *The-potatoes "drop-fromthe feed conveyor 5! to the apron oftheconveyor -49 "which-extends over rollers-83a and 93 in the upperpartfo'f-"the machine {and d'ownwardl-y to the "b0tt0lm 0f the frame forreturn over rollers 94 and 95 journaled along the lower 'portion of thefram'ew To-effect 'the vertical ada'ustment o'f thefra'me =8 3-=an'dhence the adjustment of the -V'-belt 8B within the variablespeed pulley-"85 as to effect either *a small or fast drive of the potato feedconveyor 5|, Figures' 23-'and 25,1aacable 96- is extended-downwardly*overza pulleyffl to :apulley -'98, Fig-ure 3, andupwardly lto thee'ndrdf a manually operable lever 99 pivotally mounted on a pin I90 andadapted to be adjusted and retained by a ratchet and quadrant IDI. Thefeed conveyor 5I can thus be made to run slow or fast depending upon thespeed of the operators. The shaft 1I also drives the conveyor 54 througha chain 54a and sprockets 54b and 540.

The jaws 44 of the carriers M are hinged by pins I02 in openings I93 ofthe side plates of the carriers and the ends of the jaws are providedwith slots I 94 to receive the circular cutting knives I08. The jaws areresiliently urged together by springs I and rollers Ice on the offsetends of the pins I02 provide cam followers that travel on the stationarycam track I01.

The track is open at one side to permit the followers to leave the sameand the jaw sections to close whereupon to retain the potatoes whilebeing transported from a top position to a low cutting position. Thejaws remain closed at? their lowered position where the carrier is heldstationary to permit the upward slicing movement of the double knives 41to sever the potatoes through their short dimension.

As the potatoes approach the lowered position they are cut through theirlong dimension by cutting disks I98, Figure 4, fixed to a shaft I99which extends longitudinally throughout the frame and is driven by abelt I III, Figure 3, from shaft 15 through pulleys 5 and 6. The shaftI99 1;

is supported in adjustable bearings IiI on the frame.

The double knife mechanism 41 comprises blades H2 and H3, Figures 4 and5, connected between the ends of hanger brackets i I4 and H5 which areconnected together by the channel member I I6 and which are respectivelyconnected to slides H1 and H8 respectively slidable on vertical rods H9and I29, Figure 4. On shaft 15 are cams I2I and I2Ia to which arerespectively connected levers I23 and I23a having respectively rollersI24. The cams I2l and levers I23 actuate the double knives at theforward part of the machine and the cams I2Ia and levers I23a actuatethe single knives in the latter section of the machine. The cams aresimilar and the same description will apply to both. The levers I23 arepivoted at I25, Figure 3, and are connected to the respective slides H1and IIS to elevate the same to effect the slicing action upon thepotatoes confined within the jaws on the carriers. At this time thefollowers I59 are confined within indentation I26 of cam track III! by astrap I21, Figure 5, held up by a tension spring I28 and pivoted at I29on the frame 4!]. A pair of pins I39 extend from one side of thecarriers, Figure 4, which are positioned to engage a verticallyextending guide I3I extending upwardly from the horizontal member I I9of the knife mechanism 41 to lock the carriers. The upper end of theguide rod I3I is confined within a connection I32 between strippermember I33 and I34 extending longitudinally of the frame and over whichthe knife blades are extended. When the knife blades are retracted, thestripper members will confine the potato sections to the jaws. Thestripper member I33 is connected to the frame as indicated at I35. Asimilar stripper member I36 is connected to the frame as indicated atI31. As the knife mechanism drops the rod I3I will be disengaged fromthe pins It!) to allow the carrier to be rotated.

The carriers are rotated in half revolution steps. This motion iseffected to the first set of carriers by a rack bar I38 from crank 16,

Figure 26, which meshes with a gear I39 of a' ratchet device I4I,Figures 27, 28 and 29. The

ratchet device coacts with a drum I42 having openings I43 therein andthe drum is held by a. key I44 to carrier shaft I45. To the gear I39there is pivoted dogs I46 which are urged outwardly against the drum andinto the openings thereof by springs I41. maintains the rack bar I38 inmesh with gear I39. The shaft will be rotated in one direction by therack, as illustrated in Figure 27, until it.

has been turned one half revolution whereas to position another set ofpotato jaws above thethe jaws 45 thereof are adapted to retain smallInstead of having six jaw sections to.

potatoes. obtain a six piece out, there are only four jaw sections toprovide a four piece cut. The jaws have cam followers I53 adapted tooperate on cam trucks I54, Figures 16, 17, 18 and 19. Springs I55 pullthe end jaws 45 together. The jaws have single slots I55 for receivingthe disks I98. The jaws 48 have single slots I51 in which a single knifeblade I58 is extended to out the potato through its short dimension.This blade I58 is a part of the knife mechanism 48 and is carried onhangers I59 extending from slides I69 and operated through levers I230.connected with cams I2Ia on the shaft 15. Stripper elements I53 are slitto receive the single knife blade I 58 and prevent the sliced sectionsof the potato from leaving the jaws 45 upon the single knife mechanismbeing retracted.

On the frame is a second electric motor I66,

Figure 1, which is connected to a reduction gear unit I61 which drivesthrough a chain I68, the elevator mechanism 58. Extending from the upperend of the elevator mechanism is a chain I69 which is connected to thedrive roller 93 of the belt conveyor 49 to drive it. The bottom conveyor51 is driven from the lower end of the elevator 58 by chain I1I.

In Figure 32, there is shown a belt tightening device I15 for the mainconveyor 49. The tightening device comprises an arm I16 pivoted to theframe at I11 and having an idler roller I18 adapted to bear against theconveyor belt 49. A link I19 is pivotally connected at I with the frameand extends through a projection I8I on the member I16 to be held by anadjustable nut I83 which can be tightened to place the desired tensionupon the belt 49.

The operator stands by and feeds the potatoes to the jaws as thecarriers are stopped. The movement of the carriers is automatic and themovement of the knife mechanisms are timed to cut the potatoes while thejaws containing them are at the low position.

The potato sections drop to the bottom conveyor 51 and are elevated bythe elevator 58 for deposit in the container 59.

It should be apparent that there has been provided a potato cuttingmachine having tanks holding disinfectant solution and adapted toreceive the cutting blades after each potato has A guide I48, Figure29,,

been. cut: This. will prevent thwdisease of:- one.

mightbe passed througnthe planter at one time and 'a double plantingwould result and consequently a waste of seed. Itshould thus be apparentthat there has'beenprovided a machine which-cuts potatoes in uniformsize and wherein a system is: provided so thatr the disease of onepotato is not transferred to another.

While various changes may be made in the detailed construction, it shallbe understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scopeof'the present. invention asdefined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1, potato cutting machine comprising a supporting frame, a conveyorextending across the supporting frame and" adapted to carry potatoes,power. means for operating the conveyor, a? rotatable carrier havingjaws thereon adapted to receive potatoes taken fromv the potatoconv-eyor, means connected with the power means foreffeo'ting therotationsofithe carrier in a step by step: manner, knife elementsextended through the potatoin one-direction as the carrier;

is rotated, and; further knife mechanism adapted to be extended into.the potato in a transverse direction:- and. connected to the powermechatatoes in. one direction. as 1 they carrien'is: rotated; a slideknife adapted to be elevated to: cutfthe? potatoes: inanother direction.when; the; carrier; has been stopped, common; power: means; for;operating the carrier; the disk knife andz-thee slide knife, said powermeans including step; by: step mechanism: for operating the jaw-carrier;and a potato conveyor connected to "the: frame for. movementtherethroughand said power? means; being, connected to the conveyor toop.-- crate the same.

55. A: potato cutting machine. as deflnedv im claim-4v and a manuallyadjustable variable speed device in'the connection of the. power means;with the conveyon;

6; A. potato cutting machine comprising, a

supporting frame, a conveyor extending across;

the supporting frame' and adapted. to carry/110; tatoes, power means foroperatingthe"conveyor;

a; rotatable carrier having jaws thereon adapted:

to receive potatoes taken from thepotatov coup-- veynr, means connectedwith the power-means; forefiecting the rotation of the carrien-inzastep;by step manner, knifeelements-extendedthrough; the potato inonedirection as the carrier is. 1'0- tated, and further knifemechanismadapted to: be extended into the potato in a. trans-Meme:direction and connected to the powervmechae nism to be operatedthereby,stripper 111631118335? sociated with the latter knife mechanism, andmeans for releasing the jaws as-the carrieris: rotated to discharge thepotato sections; and? conveyor means forreceiving the; potato sectionsandconveying them from the machine, and a. return conveyor connected tothe frameand-re. turning such potatoes as fail tobe placed. inithe:carrier jaws at the receiving endof thepotato conveyor, and guide meansat the end of? the; potato conveyor -fordivertingthe unused potae toesto the return conveyor.

nism, tobe. operated. thereby, stripper. means associated with the.latter knife. mechanism, and means for releasing. the; jaws: as thecarrier is rotated ton discharge the: potato sections, and conveyormeans, for receiving the potato sections and conveying; them from themachine,

2. A potato, cutting machine, comprising a.

frame, a jaw carrier rotatable. on the frame. jaws on the carriers andmeans, for opening and closing the jawsas the carrier is rotated, adisk, knife adapted; to enter the jaws: and cut thev potatoes in onedirection as: the; carrier is ro.- tated; a slide knife adapted to, beelevated to cut the. potatoes in another-direction when the: carrier hasbeen stopped, and: common power means i for operating.- the, carrier,the: disk knifeand: the slide'k'nife.

3-; A potato cutting machine comprising a, frame, a jaw carrierrotatable on the frame,

jaws on the carrier and means for opening and,

closing the jaws as the carrier isrotated; a disk: knife adapted toenter the jaws and cut the. potatoes. in one direction" as the carrierisv rotated, and a slide knife-adapted to be elevated. to. cut thepotatoes in another direction when the carrier hasbeen stopped, andcommon, power means for operating the carrier, the disk knife and theslide knife, andsaidpower means-in-- cluding stepby step mechanism foroperating the jaw carrier.

4. A potato cutting machine comprising a; frame, a; jawcarrier rotatableon the; frame, jaws on the carrier and: means for. opening; and closingthe jaws as the carrier is rotated, a disk knifeadapted to enter thejaws. and, cut. the no 7-. A potato cutting machine comprising a.supporting frame, a conveyor extending-across: the supporting frame andadapted toicarry potatoes, power meansfor operating the conveyon, arotatablecarrier having jawsthereon adapted: to; receive potatoes takenfrom the -potato--con-- veyor, means connected with the power means foreffecting the, rotation of the carrier ina -"step by stepmannenknifeelements extended-through: theppotatoin one direction as thecarrier is rotated, and further knifemechanism adaptedto: beextended'into the potato in a transverse dierection and; connectedtothe" power mechanism: to be operated thereby, stripper meansassociated with the latter knife mechanism, means for-re:

' leasing the jaws as they carrier isrotatedytodisjaws adapted. toreceivecharge-: the potato sections,-.conveyor means for receiving thepotato sections and-conveying them'z from the machine, a conveyor forreceiving the potato sections upon the same being dischargedi; fromthe-jaws, and an, elevating d'evice-for-'m'-- ceiving the potatosections from the last mentioned conveyor and for elevating the samertoza receptacle for deliveryv tosa potato planter;

8. A potato cutting machine comprising asupporting frame; two jawcarriers axially aligned: with, one another and journalledtrespectively-in: the frame, power means for, operatingthecarriersincluding a shaft with cranks therein, racks extending: from the;cranks and ratchet mechanisms associated with the carriers-and adaptedto be operated by the racks, one'of said carriers having jaws adaptedto-firecei've large potatoes, and the other'ofsaid" carriers havingsmall potatoes, a-com-- mon shaft having disk knives for entering thejaws to cut the potatoes confined therein in one direction, meansconnecting the disk shaft to the crank shaft to be operated by the crankshaft, vertically-adjustable knife mechanisms disposed beneath therespective carriers and adapted to be elevated to slice the potatoeswithin the jaws from a different direction, and lever and cam meansconnecting the knife mechanisms with the crank shaft to be operated bythe crank shaft, said power means further including a motor operatedreduction gear connected to said crank shaft to drive the same.

9. A potato cutting machine as defined in claim 3 and a tank containinga disinfectant solution disposed about the disk and slide knives wherebyto disinfect the after every cut of a potato.

10. In a seed potato cutting machine, a main horizontally disposedpotato carrying conveyor, a feed conveyor for delivering potatoes to themain conveyor, a plurality of potato carriers positioned along the saidmain conveyor, potato gripping jaws carried by opposite ends of thecarriers, means rotating the carriers, slicing means for cuttingpotatoes in the carriers, and means releasing potato sections from thegrinping jaws of the carriers.

11. In a seed potato cutting machine, a main horizontally disposedpotato carrying conveyor, a feed conveyor for delivering potatoes to themain conveyor, a plurality of potato carriers positioned along the saidmain conveyor, potato gripping jaws carried by opposite ends of thecarriers, means rotating the carriers, slicing means for cuttingpotatoes in the carriers, means releasing potato sections from thegripping jaws of the carriers, a solution holding tank at the end of themachine, and means conveying the potato sections to the tank.

12. In a seed potato cutting machine, a main horizontally disposedpotato carrying conveyor, a feed conveyor for delivering potatoes to themain conveyor, a plurality of potato carriers positioned along the saidmain conveyor, potato gripping jaws carried by opposite ends of thecarriers, means rotating the carriers, slicing means for cuttingpotatoes in the carriers longitudinally and transversely, and meansreleasing potato sections from the gripping jaws of the carriers.

ERNEST E. MEYER.

No references cited

